Device for oxygenating drinking water

Abstract

A device ( 10 ) for producing and dispensing oxygenated water. A mixing unit ( 30 ) has an inlet for supplying water to the mixing unit, and an inlet for supplying oxygen to the unit. Separate control valves or devices are installed in the respective flow paths by which water and oxygen are directed to their respective inlets so to separately control the rate at which water and oxygen are supplied to it. The mixing unit includes an element ( 39 ) for dissolving oxygen supplied to the mixing unit into the water also supplied thereto, the mixing unit controlling the level of oxygen dissolution into the water. A dispenser ( 46 ) is connected to an outlet ( 42 ) of the mixing unit for dispensing oxygenated water into a container (G) for subsequent consumption. It is desirable to consume the oxygenated water as soon as possible to realize the full benefits of the oxygen dissolved in water.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is: 
     
         1 . A device for producing and dispensing oxygenated water comprising:
 a mixing unit to which is supplied water and oxygen, a first inlet to the mixing unit for supplying water to the mixing unit from a source thereof, and a second inlet to the mixing for supplying oxygen to the mixing unit from a source thereof;   separate control valves installed in respective flow paths by which water and oxygen are directed to the respective first and second inlets, the control valves separately controlling the rate at which water and oxygen are supplied to the mixing unit;   the mixing unit including means for dissolving the oxygen supplied to the mixing unit with the water supplied thereto, the mixing unit controlling the dissolution of the oxygen into the water with a resulting bubble size indicating maximum oxygen dissolution into the water; and,   a dispenser connected to an outlet of the mixing unit for dispensing oxygenated water into a container for subsequent consumption.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  in which the amount of oxygen dissolved into the water is in the range of 20 ppm-45 ppm depending on the temperature and pressure of both the water and oxygen flow streams. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  in which the mixing unit includes a mixing element comprising one of a diffuser or a membrane unit, and with or without a static mixer. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  further including one of a pneumatic, mechanical, or electrical control system for maximizing the ratio of water to oxygen in the dispensed oxygenated water so to automatically accomplish the dissolution of the oxygen into the ratio to achieve a desired ratio. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  further including a control unit and sensors supplying inputs to the control unit, the control unit processing the inputs from the sensors for determining a desired oxygen-to-water ratio for a given set of conditions. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5  wherein the control unit includes schedules stored therewithin, the control unit accessing the schedules to determine what the water-to-oxygen ratio should be for the sensed set of operating conditions. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6  in which the control valves separately controlling the rate at which water and oxygen are supplied to the mixing unit are electronically controlled valves and the control unit separately controls each of the control valves to control the rate at which water and oxygen are supplied to the mixing unit. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1  further including a visual indicator in an oxygenated water flow path between the mixing unit and the dispenser for observing the bubble size as an indicator of oxygen dissolution into the water. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1  in which the water temperature is controlled for the water to be kept sufficiently cold that the dissolved oxygen is retained in the water. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1  further including a drain for draining off excess oxygenated water from the mixing unit.